A 1-mile walk and 5K/10K race, as well as entertainment and family activities. All funds raised by the Warrior Walk support the activities of the Judy DiMarzo Cancer Survivorship Program at Wilmot Cancer Institute.

This is the second in our series of profiles of the 2014 Chamber of Commerce Award winners. The awards will be presented at a dinner at the Clarion Hotel on Saturday.

One of Genesee County's most active volunteer organizations is in for a pretty big year. Genesee Cancer Assistance is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and it's being honored with a Special Service Recognition Award from the Chamber of Commerce.

Consisting of two office staff and around 50 volunteers, Genesee Cancer Assistance was founded in 1995 after the American Cancer Society withdrew its services from Genesee County. The organization provides emotional, financial and practical support to Genesee County cancer patients and their families. According to office manager Patricia Arnold, they have helped about 1,700 families and given more than half a million dollars to cancer patients in the last 20 years.

Some of their most well-known annual fund-raising events include the Festival of Hope, 5K Walk, golf tournament and spaghetti dinner.

Their nomination came from Paul Figlow, a member of the Genesee Cancer Assistance board of directors and chairman of the Festival of Hope.

"The reason I nominated (Genesee Cancer Assistance) is that I really think we need to get the word out about what we do," Figlow said.

Three things that make Genesee Cancer Assistance special

If you talk to the people involved, they will tell you that there are at least three major factors that distinguish Genesee Cancer Assistance.

First, all of the money they raise stays in Genesee County and goes directly to those who need it.

Second, everyone involved with the charity has been personally touched by cancer in some way. Figlow, for example, lost his mother to cancer in 2010.

"Probably about 99 percent of the people involved can give you a story," Figlow said. "Our organization really hits home to a lot of people."

Finally, the people of Genesee Cancer Assistance give their time and effort neither out of necessity nor personal gain, but because they have a passion for it.

“We're blessed with a very strong board presence,” said Steve Grice, board member and golf tournament co-chair, “people who are willing to put the effort in. But we're also blessed with a group of volunteers who don't go out and wave a flag, but are right there when we have an event. They show up and ask, ‘What can we do? Where do you want me?’ Anything you ask them to do, they'll do.”

Volunteers will also help with technology, advertising, or other areas according to their interest and expertise.

“It’s like God brought them down here,” said Board Member Joe Gerace, who is chairman of the spaghetti dinner fundraiser. “They really are good people. And they don’t complain (about the work). This is really a big family.”

As for Arnold and Sue Underwood, the only two paid staff, Grice said that they go “above and beyond” for their positions.

How Genesee Cancer Assistance works

Each patient is given $400 upon application. This is to help with hospital visits, copays, mileage, hospital parking fees, etc.

"It may seem like a small gesture to some," Grice said. "The money sometimes might seem minimal; but it's really not minimal to someone who's lying in a hospital bed on chemo and just wants somebody to hold their hand, or just sit there and watch TV with them. The family might not have the funds, because of insurance and all that."

Patient advocacy is also a big part of the mission. Staff at Genesee Cancer Assistance will answer, to the best of their ability, questions about any issues or concerns patients bring to them.

"Say a patient calls and says their utilities were shut off," Arnold said. "We will step in and tell them how to go about contacting the utility companies and what has to be done for their heat, for example, not to be shut off."

She said that oftentimes, if a patient can present proof from a doctor stating that the loss of electricity or other utilities would cause him or her harm, then the company cannot shut them off. But there are specific procedures people must go through in cases like these, and Genesee Cancer Assistance can guide them through such procedures.

Other services include referrals to other agencies when necessary (for example, when people have used up the services Genesee Cancer Assistance is able to provide), sharing educational materials with the community, and free Biblical counseling through Grace Baptist Church in Batavia.

"Simply Beautiful"

One of Genesee Cancer Assistance's best-kept secrets is the "Simply Beautiful" program, which is Gerace's brainchild. He runs it with the help of dedicated volunteers Carol Grasso, Joyce Meisner, Karen Roland and Amy Nichols, as well as others.

It is sort of a cross between cosmetic aid and a support group. The first thing Gerace does for everyone once they arrive is try to make them comfortable.

"When they come in, they're very nervous," Gerace said. “And I try to help them out. I give them coffee, or donuts, or fruit. It depends. (Once they feel relaxed), if they don't have a wig, I put a wig on them to show them what they look like."

Patients -- both men and women -- get free makeup and wigs (or hats, if they are not interested in wigs) up to $200 in value, over and above the $400 they receive upon application. Makeup includes artificial eyebrows and eyelashes for those who have lost these as a result of chemotherapy.

"Simply Beautiful" meets on a monthly basis as a general rule, although sometimes this is impossible due to treatment schedules or illness. In those cases, Gerace will do his best to accommodate people's needs.

"They'll either call me up, or call Patty from the office, who says: 'Joe, we got a woman who needs a hairpiece and can't wait. Would you let her come to the office and see if it's what she wants?' I've done that many times."

Gerace started "Simply Beautiful" after being involved with a similar program in association with the American Cancer Society, "Look Good, Feel Better."

When American Cancer Society services diminished in Genesee County, he and his fellow volunteers "had to start from fresh." He was asked to come up with the name for a new program, and was told to "keep it simple."

"And I said, 'Yes, that's a good name -- "Simply Beautiful.” ’ ”

A community effort

Another ingredient in the success of Genesee Cancer Assistance is their ability to form productive partnerships with people in the community.

"There are many people that we have helped who take it on themselves to do their own fundraisers,” Figlow said. “And they basically do it all themselves. These are quite the events -- I'm sure they spend months working on them. (In each case) they tell us about the event, they take care of everything, and then we receive a check every year."

Some of their partners include Paul Berardini of Big Pauly's Pizza, T.F. Brown's, Kiwanis of Corfu-Pembroke, Toni Funke and her "Zumba in the Sand" program, and Michelle Shade, who puts on a "Christmas Angel Festival and Basket Raffle" at Calvary Baptist Church in Batavia every November.

"All the service clubs in Genesee County help us some way somehow," Gerace said, "whether it's the Lions Club, Zonta, Sertoma Club (and others). And Patty Arnold is very good about making sure everyone who helps us gets a thank-you."

For more information on Genesee Cancer Assistance and what they do, call 345-0417.

There will be a benefit for cancer victim Tim Dick at American Legion Post #734 in Attica from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16. It's at the corner of Market and West Avenue.

The event is being held by his friends at p.w. minor, shoemakers based in Batavia.

There will be entertainment by Elvis impersonator Dutch Derby from 3 to 5 p.m., a concession stand, bake sale, 50/50 raffle and Chinese auction. Raffle items include tickets to Disney World, an 18-speed tandem bike, and lots of baskets.

Tim was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome in 2010 and he goes to Roswell Park Cancer Institute every month for five days of chemotherapy. The only cure is a bone marrow transplant, without which he faces years of chemo.

He has been out of work since 1989 due to an accident that compressed three disks in his neck. His wife just lost her job.

Life has not been good to them so we are reaching out to the community to help this family get through a very tough time.

Tim is a husband, father, grandpa and a friend to anyone. Please join us in this benefit to help raise money to get Tim the help he needs and help with the medical bills.

Glitz-N-Glamour Salon owner Nicole Voltura will hold a “Cut-a-Thon” for her brother, Batavia resident Dan Nash, on Sunday, March 17 from 1 until 5 pm.

The event will include raffle items as well as a 50/50 raffle. Voltura said there are 26 confirmed baskets for the raffle so far.

Items range from party mixes to wine, a Keurig machine, gift certificates to local restaurants, hair products, etc.

Ticket prices are $1 for three tickets or $10 for arms-length.

As the event name suggests, the salon will also be offering haircuts to those who would like them. There is no set donation amount for those – people are just encouraged to give whatever they can.

Nash was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February. According to Voltura, doctors were able to remove 90% of the tumor and are waiting to see if the rest will disappear.

Meanwhile, Nash has had doctor visits two or three times a week and has a long recovery ahead of him. To make things worse, he is out of work and has health insurance that, according to Voltura, “hardly covers anything.”

Voltura herself is a cancer survivor. She remembers how the community came together to help her and her family in their time of need, and she sees the “Dan Nash Cut-a-Thon” as a way for her to “give back.”

Even though Nash is her brother, Voltura said she would do this for anybody.

“I like to help however I can,” she said.

Glitz-N-Glamour Salon is located at 319 Ellicott St. in Batavia. For more information or to purchase raffle tickets – which anyone can do, even if they cannot make the event – call Voltura at 813-9757 or send her a message on Facebook via the event page (

Glitz-N-Glamour Salon owner Nicole Voltura will hold a “Cut-a-Thon” for her brother, Batavia resident Dan Nash, on Sunday, March 17 from 1 until 5 pm.

The event will include raffle items as well as a 50/50 raffle. Voltura said there are 26 confirmed baskets for the raffle so far.

Items range from party mixes to wine, a Keurig machine, gift certificates to local restaurants, hair products, etc.

Ticket prices are $1 for three tickets or $10 for arms-length.

As the event name suggests, the salon will also be offering haircuts to those who would like them. There is no set donation amount for those – people are just encouraged to give whatever they can.

Nash was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February. According to Voltura, doctors were able to remove 90% of the tumor and are waiting to see if the rest will disappear.

Meanwhile, Nash has had doctor visits two or three times a week and has a long recovery ahead of him. To make things worse, he is out of work and has health insurance that, according to Voltura, “hardly covers anything.”

Voltura herself is a cancer survivor. She remembers how the community came together to help her and her family in their time of need, and she sees the “Dan Nash Cut-a-Thon” as a way for her to “give back.”

Even though Nash is her brother, Voltura said she would do this for anybody.

“I like to help however I can,” she said.

Glitz-N-Glamour Salon is located at 319 Ellicott St. in Batavia. For more information or to purchase raffle tickets – which anyone can do, even if they cannot make the event – call Voltura at 813-9757 or send her a message on Facebook via the event's page.

From the "Amanda's Rage Cranking it up for Austin" Facebook page (with a few edits):

(Area band) Amanda's Rage will be cranking it up to help Austin Heineman in his battle with cancer.

At the young age of 17 Austin was suddenly up against, and in a battle, with a very aggressive and rare form of cancer called Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor.

Austin is now 18. He has completed several rounds of chemo and will soon be undergoing bone marrow transplants in Maryland. He has also had to travel to New York City for several days/weeks at a time for treatment.

Austin's father, Jason, has been transporting and staying by Austin's side on each and every trip for treatment.

Austin needs your help, support and all-important prayers to continue fighting this battle.

Austin's Army is looking for recruits. Do you have what it takes?
Come out March 1 to join Austin's Army & show Austin and his family that they are not alone in this.

$3.00 cover/donation - 50/50 raffles - Open donations.

This event will take place at the Batavia Country Club, at 7909 Batavia-Byron Road in Batavia, and last from 8 p.m. until midnight Friday.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Wyoming County team St. Paul's United Church of Christ invites you to Zumba for a Cause and basket raffle. Where: Attica Prospect Street School, Multi-purpose room When: March 1st, 6:00 - 7:00 pm Cost: $10.00 includes one basket raffle ticket and one door prize ticket Additional basket raffle tickets will be available. Make a difference in the world and help us fight cancer!

Every year in Genesee County, 350 people are diagnosed with cancer and 100 people die from cancer, which is why, according to a group of the American Cancer Society who were in Batavia today, cancer should be an important election issue.

Americans need research and treatment for the disease and the assurance of funding for both, according to Hillary Clarke, director of federal government relations, so this is an issue voters should take up with candidates for office.

At www.cancervotes.org is a voter's guide for the presidential election with responses from the two major party candidates, but Clarke said neither of the candidates for the NY-27 Congressional District responded to the Cancer Action Network's survey.

Contacted today, a spokesman for Kathy Hochul's campaign said Hochul did respond and her answers are posted on the Web site. We've not been able to find those answers and requested a direct link to the appropriate page.

The spokesman for Chris Collins, Micheal Kracker, sent the following statement in response to a simple question of what would Collins do to support the fight against cancer.

"As the brother of a cancer survivor, Chris Collins knows how important it is to support cancer research. Chris also recognizes how important it is to make sure no government bureaucracy stops doctors from giving patients like Chris' sister the treatment they need to stay healthy. We need to be sure that doctors, not government bureaucrats determine how best to care for patients. We must also promise to protect Medicare for our seniors so they continue to receive the access to affordable care they paid for their entire lives."

We'll update this post if any additional information comes in.

UPDATE: Statement from Angela Pause-Smith, communications director, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.: "Neither candidate responded to our questionnaire so there actually isn't a Voter Guide for this race. I'm sorry if someone told you that there was one."

UPDATE II: As soon as I posted the update above, Pause-Smith emailed the following: "So I learned literally a moment ago that late this afternoon Hochul returned our questionnaire. There is a process we need to follow to post it on our Web site and we've asked for that process to be expedited so you can see the responses, but I can't provide a time that they will be available."

UPDATE III: Pause-Smith clarifies: "It may not have been late this afternoon that she returned it, I just learned of it late this afternoon. We received it sometime today."

For her, it's become more than just a thought. It's become a reality. Her son, 18-year-old Austin Heinemen, was recently diagnosed with it.

A 2012 graduate of Pembroke, he has always been a healthy kid, into sports, dirt-biking and active all year round, and was unexpectedly diagnosed with a desmoplastic small round cell tumor also known as DSRCT.

It's a rare form of childhood cancer that predominantly strikes boys and young adults. DSRCT is a soft-tissue sarcoma that is aggressive and primarily develops in the abdomen.

Treatment for DSRCT is extensive.

"He has been through six intensive chemotherapy sessions that last four days every three weeks," Wasieleski told us. "The chemo kills everything, good and bad, so between chemo sessions he's at Roswell with anything from a cut on the finger, which leads to a pretty nasty infection, to pneumonia."

On the bright side, the chemo has made a difference and as a result of the PET and CAT scans, the tumors are shrinking.

Currently, Austin is waiting for his mother's health insurance to approve him to undergo surgery in New York City. He will have the tumors removed, and then will go through a 28 day stem cell trial. Following that, he will head to Washington, D.C., for another bone marrow trial.

"His father, myself and his three sisters have tested to see if we are a match and (we are) awaiting results," Wasieleski said. "If we are not, we will be looking for matches elsewhere."

The community support has been outpouring for Austin and he's got a whole army behind him fighting the battle.

" 'Austin's Army' was created to show Austin community support and how many people care about him," Wasieleski said. "At a time like this, community support is huge."

"All the help and support by the community is awesome and well deserving for him," says long-time friend Wyatt Chittenden. "With his recent diagnosis of cancer, it was heartfelt by everyone close to Austin because everyone knows how great of a person Heineman is. He always can put a smile on your face and give you a good laugh as well as always being there for people."

Austin's Army has done many fundraisers to help including a chicken barbecue, benefit gathering, piercing drive, and most recently a Facebook promotion at City Slickers.

Anyone interested, may join the army by making a donation to Austin and Austin's Army, through the Five Star Bank in Batavia.

Photo: Austin at one of his benefits with friend Kaela McMartin, who is one of the many members of Austin's Army.

Amos Williams Is putting on a benefit Gig at Austin Park in Batavia, for a Young man named Jonathan Martinez, who has been given less than a year to live...... and is still in the hospital with CANCER at only 25 yrs young in some need.This Benefit Will be at Austin park Batavia at 5 pm today.Friday July 13th 2012.Please come and share the love.

Saturday, May 5, at the East Pembroke Fire Hall pavilion, Austin's Army will be holding a benefit for Austin Heineman (son of Jason Heineman and Jamie (McGiveron) Wasielewski). Austin is an 18-year-old Pembroke High School senior who was recently diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of childhood cancer.

The benefit runs from 4 to 11 p.m. and the fire hall is located at 2623 W. Main Road, East Pembroke.

There will be Chinese and silent auctions and side raffles. Some of the raffle items are a 32" flat-screen TV, a Sabres Jersey signed by 15 of the players, an X-Box and Kinect package, four Adirondack chairs, a large primitive hutch and three signed Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys (#7 Michael Vick, #10 DeSean Jackson, #24 Ninamdi Asomugha).

Entertainment will be provided by local bands Unruly and Mr. Hand. There is no entry fee. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

All proceeds from the benefit are to help offset costs not covered by health insurance. Donations are welcome and may be sent to Austin’s Army, c/o First Niagara Bank, Batavia NY 14020.

The American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" comes to Batavia on Friday, Aug. 13! This is an overnight event and will take place from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. the following morning.

It's at the Van Detta Stadium track, at 120 Richmond Ave. in Batavia, and is open to walkers and runners of all ages.

"Relay for Life" will involve teams of people running or walking around the track. Everyone is encouraged to participate, even if they cannot stay for the whole thing. However, each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times for the duration of the event (since "cancer never sleeps").

The overall event will consist of three parts -- a "Survivors Lap" in which those who have lived through the ordeal of cancer circle the track to celebrate their shared victory, a "Luminaria Ceremony" commemorating loved ones lost to cancer, and a "Fight Back Ceremony" in which participants make a personal commitment to fight cancer.

There is a fee of $10 per person, due at the time of registration. For more information, call Stacie Waddell at 1-800-227-2345 or visit relayforlife.org/bataviany.

Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School employees, pictured in their “Fight Like a Girl” T-shirts, show support for Mrs. Esther Goodrich, who is battling breast cancer. Mrs. Goodrich is the wife of the school district’s Director of Special Education, Mike Goodrich. Thanks to elementary school Principal Mark Alexander, teachers and staff enjoyed a dress down day. All proceeds will benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance.

The Leadership-In-Action Class at Oakfield-Alabama will be hosting a Going Bald for Bucks event for the Roswell Cancer Institute. You will have to collect donations from sponsors, and in return for these donations you will have the choice to have your head shaved to a clipper setting of one inch or you can have ten inches of non-chemically damaged hair which will be donated to Locks of Love. The shaving of the head is to honor cancer patients who lose their hair due to radiation or chemotherapy.

If you are interested, the application/pledge form can be found at the Oakfield-Alabama High School location and on the Hornets website; www.oahornets.org. There will be a link called Bald for Bucks which will take you to the forms.

The forms and money are due to the Oakfield-Alabama High School office by March 12, 2010. Make sure the pledge form is signed, and has sponsors listed for you.

The date of the event will be March 26th, 2010 from 1:15pm-2:30pm.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Tracy Schlagenhauf or Cindy Kowalik at 948-5211.

The Leadership-In-Action Class at Oakfield-Alabama will be hosting a Going Bald for Bucks event for the Roswell Cancer Institute. You will have to collect donations from sponsors, and in return for these donations you will have the choice to have your head shaved to a clipper setting of one inch or you can have ten inches of non-chemically damaged hair which will be donated to Locks of Love. The shaving of the head is to honor cancer patients who lose their hair due to radiation or chemotherapy.

If you are interested, the application/pledge form can be found at the Oakfield-Alabama High School location and on the Hornets website; www.oahornets.org. There will be a link called Bald for Bucks which will take you to the forms.

The forms and money are due to the Oakfield-Alabama High School office by March 12, 2010. Make sure the pledge form is signed, and has sponsors listed for you.

The date of the event will be March 26th, 2010 from 1:15pm-2:30pm.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Tracy Schlagenhauf or Cindy Kowalik at 948-5211.

The Leadership-In-Action Class at Oakfield-Alabama will be hosting a Going Bald for Bucks event for the Roswell Cancer Institute. You will have to collect donations from sponsors, and in return for these donations you will have the choice to have your head shaved to a clipper setting of one inch or you can have ten inches of non-chemically damaged hair which will be donated to Locks of Love. The shaving of the head is to honor cancer patients who lose their hair due to radiation or chemotherapy.

If you are interested, the application/pledge form can be found at the Oakfield-Alabama High School location and on the Hornets website; www.oahornets.org. There will be a link called Bald for Bucks which will take you to the forms.

The forms and money are due to the Oakfield-Alabama High School office by March 12, 2010. Make sure the pledge form is signed, and has sponsors listed for you.

The date of the event will be March 26th, 2010 from 1:15pm-2:30pm.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Tracy Schlagenhauf or Cindy Kowalik at 948-5211.

JOE: Good morning Calliope. I have a book review to share with you today.
CALLIOPE: Great. Let me see it.

Between Me and the RiverbyCarrie Host

In The Right to Write, Julia Cameron observes, "My body which carries a knowledge deeper than my mind, has answers for me as an artist and a person." In her new book, Between Me and the River, Living Beyond Cancer: A Memoir (Harlequin, 2009), Carrie Host chronicles her encounter with the river of cancer, sometimes paddling along, sometimes caught in the rapids and sometimes grasping desperately for the shore.

Her account reminds me of Dante's Divine Comedy, especially the Inferno with its River Styx and the Purgatorio where her body, mind and soul are purified. She never quite makes it to the Paradiso, although none of us do in this life. From the start of her account, I wanted to push or pull her boat to safety or paddle with her.

Before her encounter with cancer Carrie wrote poetry. She learned to watch, listen, smell, touch and taste the joys, frustrations, fears, defeats and victories punctuating her voyage. She shares with the reader her poignant observations, thoughts and feelings as her body experiences them. You will share with her the sting of each setback and the glory of each victory. As Julia Cameron says, "We store memories in our bodies. We store passion and heartache. We store joy, moments of transcendent peace."

Carrie's book shares her perspective on wrestling with cancer, from the loneliness of facing it alone inside her body to the loving support of her thirty-eight muses who helped write her story. She starts writing with the goal of finding an ending to her story. Eventually she does, "Radiating pure light, I've surreptitiously come to a place with winter clarity along the banks of a magnificent river, its roar a vague whisper, a place with all words sleeping."

Batavia High School will be “Goin’Bald” for Roswell Park Cancer
Institute on Wednesday, March 25, at 7:00 PM in the BHS gym. The event,
sponsored by the National Honor Society and part of the annual Roswell’s
Goin’ Bald for Bucks appeal, will be sandwiched between two exciting
games of volleyball - the first between the BHS girls’ varsity
volleyball team and the boys’ varsity basketball team, and the second
game between staff members from throughout the school district. During
the intermission between the two games, any brave person who has
volunteered to go bald for Roswell will have their heads professionally
shaved.

“Our school community has been touched by cancer too often not to recognize the importance of the research that is ongoing at Roswell,” said Adam Pettinella Batavia High School National Honor Society President, “Our efforts this year are in honor of Mrs. Kay Dean, BHS health teacher, who passed away from cancer two years ago.” He said she was an active member of the faculty and everyone’s favorite teacher would have loved to have been a part of this special event.

The following teachers will have their heads shaved Wednesday evening: from Batavia High School - Mr. Adam Garlapow, Mr. Nate Korzelius, Mr. John Kirkwood, Mr. Adam Fusco and Mr. Mark Warren; from the Middle School - Mr. Jeff Tress; from Jackson School - Mr. Carm DelPlato; from Robert Morris School - Mr. Michael Calandra and Mr. Jerry Sloan and from John Kennedy School - Mr. Paul Kesler, principal.

The following students are also shaving their heads and have raised their own donations through sponsorship - Taylor Hubbard, Will Ely, Chad Luce, Andrew Maxwell, Sunny Rathod and John Richards.

This is the first time BHS has participated in this event. All proceeds will be donated to Roswell.